Pleasing God And Faith Brings Peace with Enemies

The Bible teaches that our relationship with God has a profound impact on every aspect of our lives, including our interactions with others—even with those who may be opposed to us.

Proverbs 16:7 beautifully expresses this concept: “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

This verse offers incredible wisdom for how believers are called to live in a world where conflict is inevitable.

When we align ourselves with God’s will, we can experience peace even in the midst of challenging relationships.

In this article, we will explore the profound truth behind this scripture.

What does it mean to have our ways be pleasing to the Lord and how pleasing God attracts this divine favor and extend even to the hearts of our enemies?

And how does this principle manifest in the lives of believers today?

Understanding the Context of Proverbs 16:7

The book of Proverbs is filled with practical wisdom for everyday living, grounded in the fear of the Lord and reverence for His commands.

Proverbs 16:7 addresses the transformative power of righteous living in a specific way.

When we walk in obedience to God, the blessings of His favor extend beyond our internal life and spiritual growth, influencing even our external relationships.

The notion of having enemies is nothing new.

Throughout the Bible, we see that those who serve God are often met with opposition.

David had enemies in King Saul and his own son, Absalom. The prophet Elijah faced hostility from King Ahab and Queen Jezebel.

And, of course, Jesus Christ Himself faced the ultimate opposition in the form of the religious leaders and the Roman Empire, which eventually led to His crucifixion.

However, Proverbs 16:7 points to a divine principle: when our conduct pleases God,

He can supernaturally work to bring peace even in relationships marked by enmity.

What Does It Mean to Please the Lord?

Pleasing God means living in such a way that our thoughts, actions, and attitudes align with His will.

Pleasing God requires more than religious rituals; it involves a heart surrendered to Him, seeking to walk in obedience and love.

The Bible tells us in Hebrews 11:6 that “without faith, it is impossible to please God.” Therefore, a life that pleases God begins with faith—a deep trust in His goodness and sovereignty.

King Solomon’s reign offers another fascinating example of how God’s favor can bring peace with enemies, even when the ruler is flawed.

Solomon, the son of King David, enjoyed a reign marked by unprecedented peace and prosperity, a rarity in the ancient world where nations were constantly at war.

Although Solomon had his shortcomings and ultimately strayed from the path of full obedience to God, the peace that Israel enjoyed during his reign can be attributed to God’s covenant with David, Solomon’s father.

Here are several ways we can ensure that our ways are pleasing to the Lord:

1. Walking in Obedience: Obedience to God’s Word is one of the most important aspects of pleasing Him. This means following His commandments, loving others as Christ loved us, and living according to the principles set forth in the Bible. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commands.” Obedience is the fruit of our love for God.
2. Living a Life of Prayer: A life that is pleasing to God is one that is steeped in prayer. Through prayer, we communicate with God, seek His guidance, and align our hearts with His will. Jesus modeled this throughout His ministry, spending time in prayer even before making major decisions or facing challenges.
3. Displaying the Fruits of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities reflect the character of Christ and are evidence of a life that is pleasing to God. As the Holy Spirit works in us, these fruits should become more evident in our interactions with others, including our enemies.
4. Trusting in God’s Plan: Pleasing God also involves trusting His plan for our lives, even when we do not understand it. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” When we trust in God, we demonstrate that we believe His ways are higher and better than our own.

The Power of Divine Favor

When our ways please the Lord, we attract His favor. Divine favor is not just a vague concept; it is the supernatural grace that God extends to His children.

This favor can manifest in different areas of our lives, such as our relationships, our work, and even our health.

One of the remarkable benefits of God’s favor is that it can influence the hearts of those around us—including our enemies.

God has the power to bring reconciliation, soften hardened hearts, and create peace where there was once hostility.

This does not mean that we will never face conflict or opposition, but it does mean that God can work in ways we may not expect to bring about peace.

Biblical Examples of God’s Favor Bringing Peace with Enemies

Throughout the Bible, we see numerous examples of how God’s favor can turn enemies into allies or at least lead to peaceful resolutions.

Let’s examine a few of these instances to understand how this principle works in practice.

1. Jacob and Esau (Genesis 33)

The story of Jacob and Esau is one of sibling rivalry that turned into bitter enmity.

Jacob deceived his father, Isaac, to receive the blessing meant for Esau, leading Esau to vow to kill him. After many years, Jacob feared that Esau would still harbor resentment.

But when Jacob’s ways pleased the Lord, God intervened. Upon their reunion, Esau embraced Jacob, and the two brothers were reconciled.

God’s favor worked to bring peace between them, despite their troubled history.

2. David and King Saul (1 Samuel 24)

David, a man after God’s own heart, found himself pursued by King Saul, who was jealous of David’s rising popularity.

Saul sought to kill David out of envy, but David chose to honor God by refusing to harm Saul, even when he had the opportunity to do so.

David’s righteous actions pleased the Lord, and eventually, Saul ceased his pursuit.

While their relationship remained complicated, David’s faithfulness and desire to please God led to moments of peace between them.

3. Daniel in the Lions’ Den (Daniel 6)

Daniel’s dedication to God was unwavering, even when it brought him into conflict with the leaders of Babylon.

When Daniel’s enemies plotted against him, seeking to have him thrown into the lions’ den, God’s favor protected him.

Not only did Daniel emerge unharmed, but King Darius was moved to decree that all people should worship the God of Daniel.

The Lord turned the hearts of Daniel’s enemies, bringing peace and victory to Daniel.

Practical Application: How Can We Experience This Peace Today?

The principle of Proverbs 16:7 is as relevant today as it was in biblical times. Even in a modern context, we can experience peace with our enemies by walking in ways that are pleasing to the Lord.

Here are some practical steps to help us live out this truth:

1. Forgive Freely: One of the most powerful ways to please the Lord is to forgive those who have wronged us. Jesus taught that we must forgive others if we want to be forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15). Forgiveness breaks the cycle of hostility and opens the door to reconciliation.
2. Respond with Kindness: When faced with hostility, our natural inclination is often to respond in kind. However, Romans 12:20-21 instructs us to “feed our enemies” and “overcome evil with good.” Acts of kindness toward those who oppose us can soften their hearts and pave the way for peace.
3. Pray for Your Enemies: Jesus commanded us to pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). Prayer not only changes our hearts but can also bring about a change in the hearts of our enemies. When we lift them up in prayer, we invite God’s intervention in their lives.
4. Seek Reconciliation, Not Revenge: In a world that often encourages retribution, seeking reconciliation is a powerful testament to our faith in God. By striving for peace rather than revenge, we reflect the heart of Christ and create opportunities for God’s favor to work in our relationships.
5. Trust God’s Timing: Peace with our enemies may not come immediately, but we can trust that God is at work behind the scenes. His timing is perfect, and His ways are higher than ours. In the meantime, we must continue to walk in obedience and faith, knowing that God is faithful to His promises.

King Solomon: Peace Through Covenant Despite His Shortcomings

King Solomon’s reign offers another fascinating example of how God’s favor can bring peace with enemies, even when the ruler is flawed.

Solomon, the son of King David, enjoyed a reign marked by unprecedented peace and prosperity,

a rarity in the ancient world where nations were constantly at war.

Although Solomon had his shortcomings and ultimately strayed from the path of full obedience to God,

the peace that Israel enjoyed during his reign can be attributed to God’s covenant with David, Solomon’s father.

The Covenant with David and Its Impact on Solomon’s Reign

The story of King Solomon cannot be separated from the covenant God made with his father, David.

In 2 Samuel 7, God made a covenant with David, promising that David’s lineage would continue to sit on the throne of Israel and that his kingdom would be established forever.

This covenant wasn’t just a promise for David’s lifetime; it extended to his descendants, including Solomon.

During Solomon’s reign, Israel experienced what many historians and theologians refer to as a “Golden Age.”

The surrounding nations, which had once been enemies, either became allies or were subdued through diplomatic efforts rather than warfare.

Solomon’s wisdom, wealth, and political acumen were widely respected,

but it was ultimately the divine favor from the covenant that allowed Israel to live in peace during his reign.

However, Solomon was far from perfect.

Despite his wisdom, he made mistakes that displeased God, such as marrying foreign wives who led him into idolatry.

Yet, because of God’s covenant with David, Solomon’s kingdom was not torn apart during his lifetime.

God honored His promise to David by allowing Solomon to rule over a united Israel in relative peace, even though Solomon’s later actions displeased the Lord.

In 1 Kings 11:12, God tells Solomon, “Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it [tear the kingdom away] during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son.”

This period of peace during Solomon’s reign, despite his moral failings, is a powerful testament to the enduring nature of God’s promises.

The peace Solomon enjoyed was not a direct result of his righteousness but was rooted in the covenant God made with his father, David.

Juxtaposing Solomon’s Covenant with God’s Grace Through Jesus Christ

Just as Solomon experienced peace because of the covenant God made with David, we,

as believers, experience peace with God and the favor that comes from living in ways pleasing to Him—not because we are perfect, but because of our faith in Jesus Christ.

Through Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross, a new and better covenant was established, allowing us to be made right with God despite our sins and shortcomings.

Grace Despite Our Imperfections

Like Solomon, we are not perfect. As humans, we all fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23), but the good news of the gospel is that we are not judged based solely on our actions.

Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are justified before God.

Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Just as Solomon’s peace with his enemies was rooted in the covenant made with David,

our peace with God—and the favor we experience—is rooted in the new covenant established through Jesus.

Jesus took upon Himself the punishment for our sins so that we could receive grace, forgiveness, and favor from God.

Even when we make mistakes, God’s favor is extended to us because of our faith in Christ, not because of our perfection.

Faith in Jesus and Its Power to Please the Lord

Under the new covenant, our ways are pleasing to the Lord when they are anchored in faith in Jesus Christ.

As Hebrews 11:6 reminds us, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.”

Faith in Jesus is the foundation for a life that is pleasing to God, and it is this faith that allows us to experience God’s favor and peace, even when we face opposition or have failed in our walk.

Just as God honored His covenant with David despite Solomon’s failings, He honors the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf.

When we place our trust in Jesus, we are covered by His righteousness, and this pleases the Lord.

Even though we still struggle with sin and make mistakes, God looks at us through the lens of Christ’s righteousness, and His favor continues to rest upon us.

Peace with Enemies Through Christ

One of the most remarkable aspects of the new covenant is that it also affects our relationships with others, including our enemies.

Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44).

Through Christ, we are empowered to live in ways that reflect the heart of God, even in the face of hostility.

The peace that Christ brings into our lives goes beyond internal peace with God; it extends to peace with others.

Ephesians 2:14 tells us that Christ “is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.”

While this verse primarily refers to the reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles,

it also speaks to the broader peace that Christ brings between people who are naturally divided by enmity.

Through Christ, we are not only reconciled to God but also called to be peacemakers in the world.

When our faith in Jesus pleases the Lord, He can work in our lives to bring peace with those who oppose us.

Just as Solomon experienced peace with surrounding nations because of the covenant with David,

we can experience peace in our relationships because of the covenant established through Christ.

CONCLUSION

Proverbs 16:7 reveals a profound spiritual truth: when we live in a way that pleases the Lord, He can bring peace even in the most difficult relationships.

While we may not always be able to control the actions of others, we can control our response by choosing to walk in obedience, love, and forgiveness.

God’s favor extends beyond our personal relationship with Him;

it touches every area of our lives, including our interactions with those who oppose us.

Just as He worked in the lives of Jacob, David, and Daniel, He can work in our lives today to bring about peace with our enemies.

As we commit to living lives that are pleasing to the Lord, we can rest in the assurance that He is with us,

guiding our steps and bringing peace where there was once strife. In a world filled with conflict, this divine promise is a beacon of hope for all who trust in the Lord.

The story of Solomon serves as a powerful reminder that God’s favor is not dependent on our perfection but on His faithfulness to His promises.

Just as Solomon experienced peace with his enemies due to the covenant God made with David.

We experience peace, favor, and reconciliation through the new covenant made possible by Jesus Christ.

Though we are imperfect and prone to sin, our faith in Jesus allows us to live in ways that are pleasing to God.

This faith transforms our lives, enabling us to walk in obedience, love, and forgiveness.

As we do so, God’s favor rests upon us, and He works in our relationships—sometimes even bringing peace with our enemies.

Ultimately, the peace we experience, whether internal or external, is a gift of God’s grace.

As believers, we are called to live in the light of this grace, trusting in God’s ability to work in and through us, even in our imperfections.

Like Solomon, we may have our shortcomings, but the covenant established through Jesus Christ ensures that God’s favor and peace will remain with us, guiding us through life’s challenges and conflicts.